3-Day Gorilla Trekking Safari from Kampala: Mountain Gorillas
Trek into Bwindi forest and track mountain gorillas with a local guide
A 3-day gorilla trekking safari from Kampala takes you to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to track Uganda's mountain gorillas in the wild, with the gorilla permit, accommodation, meals, Batwa community tour and Lake Bunyonyi canoe ride included. Day one is a 7-hour drive through rainforest and terraced hills to Bwindi, where you visit the Batwa community; day two is the gorilla trek itself, which can last 1 to 6 hours depending on where the family is located; day three returns you to Kampala with a stop at the equator line. The trek starts at 14 years old and requires booking an evening flight home.
Step-by-step itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Bwindi and Batwa Trail
- Arrive at Entebbe airport
- Meet Dav safaris staff briefing
- Drive 7 hours to Bwindi
- Stop for lunch en route
- Check in at lodge
- Visit Batwa community for cultural tour
- Leisure time at lodge
Day 2: Gorilla Trekking and Lake Bunyonyi
- Early breakfast at lodge
- Drive to park offices for briefing
- Meet local guides and trackers
- Hike into forest to track gorillas
- Trek 1 to 6 hours
- Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
- Canoe ride at Lake Bunyonyi
Day 3: Return to Kampala via Equator
- Breakfast at lodge
- Drive back to Entebbe/Kampala
- Stop for lunch en route
- Stop at Equator line for experimentation
- Arrive at Entebbe airport by evening
What’s included
Gorilla permit, 2 nights' accommodation at a lodge near Bwindi or Lake Bunyonyi, all meals including breakfast each morning, Batwa community tour, canoe ride on Lake Bunyonyi, transport in a 4x4 vehicle throughout, drinking water during travel, and services of an English-speaking guide.
Times
- Every day No fixed time
Before you book
Operated by Dav Safaris
Prices and times updated 11 days ago
Traveler reviews
The experience
The drive from Entebbe airport to Bwindi takes roughly 7 hours and carries you through tropical rainforest, savannah and the Kigezi hills: the landscape shifts as you climb toward the forest. You'll stop for lunch en route, then check into your lodge and spend the afternoon with the Batwa community, learning about the forest pygmies who have lived in these woods for generations. This first day settles the long travel so the next one can focus entirely on the trek.
On day two, an early breakfast and briefing at the park offices prepares you for the hike. Local guides and trackers explain gorilla trekking etiquette before you enter the forest to track a family that was spotted the night before. The trek itself can run anywhere from 1 to 6 hours depending on where the gorillas have moved and the altitude: some sections climb above 7,500 feet. After trekking, you transfer to Lake Bunyonyi for a canoe ride across the water, then stay overnight at the lake. The second night's accommodation and meals are included.
Day three is the return drive to Kampala, with breakfast and lunch provided. You'll stop at the equator line for a moment there, then arrive at Entebbe airport around 6 pm, which is why you need to book an evening flight home. Your guide speaks English and can also communicate in Spanish, Italian, French or one additional language.
Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're flying into Kampala without a rental car: pickup from Entebbe airport is included, and the 3-day structure means you don't have to arrange separate transport, accommodation or the gorilla permit yourself. Everything is coordinated around the trek.
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Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.
How long does the actual gorilla trek take on day two?
The gorilla trek in Bwindi can last anywhere from 1 to 6 hours depending on where the mountain gorilla family has moved and the altitude of the terrain, which climbs above 7,500 feet in places.
What's included in the 3-day safari price?
The tour includes the gorilla permit per person, 2 nights' accommodation with meals, breakfast each morning, the Batwa community tour, canoe ride on Lake Bunyonyi, all transport in a 4x4 vehicle, drinking water during travel, and a guide who speaks English plus other languages.
How much driving is involved on the first day?
Day one is approximately 7 hours of driving from Entebbe airport to Bwindi, passing through rainforest, savannah and terraced hills, with a lunch stop along the way.
What time do I need to arrive back at Entebbe airport on day three?
The tour arrives at Entebbe airport around 6 pm on day three, so you'll need to book an evening flight to depart that same day.
Who are the Batwa and what do you do when you visit them?
The Batwa are forest pygmies who have lived in the Bwindi area for generations. On day one you spend the afternoon with the community learning about their way of life and culture in the forest.
Is there a minimum age for this safari?
Yes, the minimum age is 14 years old. The tour is not recommended for pregnant travelers.
3-Day Gorilla Trekking Safari from Kampala: Mountain Gorillas
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from US$ 2,600 per person
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